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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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Old 04-19-2017, 09:35 PM
Oregon45 Oregon45 is offline
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Default Picked up a pre-22 Model of 1950 today

Picked up this interesting revolver today, it's a S&W 45 Caliber Model of 1950, or a pre-22. Serial number is S156***. When, approximately, was this revolver made? The barrel is 5.5", it has the smooth backstrap and a high-polish finish that, at first, made me think the gun was reblued.

After I cleaned off a decade or so of accumulated storage oil, the finish began to look just like the finish on my pre-29, right down to the thinning of the blue at the muzzle. The screw holes are not dished and the markings, albeit somewhat shallow (again, not too different from my pre-29), are still crisp. I'm interested in hearing other opinions, but my initial take is that this is a not a re-blue.

It came with a set of Pachmayr grips, which are now in my parts box as I begin my search for a pair of walnut diamond magnas in shooter condition to match the overall condition of the revolver.

The biggest bummer is the trigger, which at some point was replaced by a flash-chromed, wide, smooth trigger. I have a narrow, serrated, case-colored trigger on its way from Numrich. The hammer also has been bobbed about 1/8" and polished, but I am going to leave it for now because it is not too offensive.

The front sight has had its face painted with some hideous dayglo yellow paint. Any thoughts on how best to remove this? Hoppes #9 had not effect, and I'm reluctant to try anything stronger or to go to a brass or bronze brush, given that the rest of the barrel is in not-too-bad cosmetic condition.

The bore was filthy, but cleaned up nicely. The rifling is the typical 1917 style shallow rifling that is still strong, should be interesting to see how it shoots with hard cast bullets.

All in all I think I got a good deal for $400 out the door.








Last edited by Oregon45; 04-19-2017 at 09:39 PM.
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Old 04-19-2017, 09:43 PM
Muley Gil Muley Gil is offline
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You done good. A bronze brush will not damage the finish on the front sight.

Twenty plus years ago I had the opportunity to buy one of those. I turned it down because it was missing the cylinder latch and screw. The price? $135....
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Old 04-19-2017, 09:43 PM
lebomm lebomm is offline
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Take the paint off the front sight with Jasco Paint & Epoxy remover, or a blend of methanol and methylene chloride. Do it in the garage or carport, the stuff smells terrible. Plain ol' acetone might do it, too. None of these will strip the bluing.

Larry
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Old 04-19-2017, 09:47 PM
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19leben 19leben is offline
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Neat find for $400! I like it.
Blue finish looks original to me.

I use nail polish remover for painted sights, and an old toothbrush. No need to splash a lot on the gun, just a bit on the bristles and work it in a circular motion. After the paint is gone, wipe away all the remover and oil her up.

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Old 04-19-2017, 09:57 PM
Hondo44 Hondo44 is offline
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Great find and great deal!

Now that you have a correct trigger to keep with the gun, I'd use the wide smooth trigger. Much easier on the finger.

The flash chrome will polish off and it can be blued. Or sell it off for a case hardened version.
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Old 04-19-2017, 10:05 PM
g8rb8 g8rb8 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oregon45 View Post
..Serial number is S156***. When, approximately, was this revolver made? ..
SCSW 4th edition says:
1956-1957 S150000 - S175999

Acetone should remove the paint from the front sight and will not damage the revolver.
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Old 04-19-2017, 10:42 PM
mtgianni mtgianni is offline
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That is a steal of a deal and it has cleaned up nicely.
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Old 04-22-2017, 11:33 AM
Oregon45 Oregon45 is offline
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I put an older pair of Micarta grips on the 1950 and took it to the range yesterday. I think it still works.



200gr Oregon Trail LSWC over 4.7gr of Bullseye, 45 ACP in moon-clips. 15 yards. Holding elevation with the front sight is a bit of a challenge. I used some Jasco paint remover to remove the dayglo paint and the bluing underneath was in better condition than I expected.
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Old 04-22-2017, 11:48 AM
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I've bought and traded for several hand guns with sights painted in white,red and yellow that came off easily with a finger nail and old toothbrush.There was no need for harsh chemicals.

A Model 25 that was completely covered in desert tan auto paint soaked in Marvel Mystery Oil for several days to come clean of the paint.
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